Cotter pin



June 21, 1938..

G. T. COOKE COTTER PIN Filed Sept. 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR gag/ye w Z fimke ATTORNEYW retainer member disclosed. in Figs. 10, i1, 12 and 13.

Fig. 15 is a detail view showing another modified retainer member fully inserted in a body.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of another modified form of retainer member.

Fig. 1'7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a modified form of retainer.

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig.1l but showing the cotter pin in a fully inserted position.

Fig. 19 is" a sectional view taken on the line which are merely illustrative of the prosentpreferred embodiments. since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and the phrsseoiogy employed is for the e ofdescription and not of limitation. v i

Referring more particularly to the drawings and first to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and for the present preferred embodiment of the invention there is disclosed, for the purpose of illustration, a portion of the shank 30 of a large stud or pin 81 commonly'used in many places onra-ilroad equipment and in which is formed a cotter pin hole 33.

Now of particular importance there is provided by the present inyention a novel cotter pin retainer 32 adapted to be inserted in the hole 33 to hold the stud or pin 3| in place.

The-cotter pin retainer 32 includes a cotter pin 34 having a looped head 35 defining a looped opening 36 and having a pair or set of arms 31 adapted to be inserted in the hole 33 in the held body or stud 31. Also constituting a part of the cotter pin retainer 32 is a retainer member 38 adapted to automatically spread the cotter pin when the latter is moved longitudinally relative thereto. According to the present invention, however, the retainer member 38 is not only provided with a means for spreading the arms 3'! of the cotter pin but is also provided with a means for locking the retainer member 38 relative to the stud 3! or other body in which the mem-' tion 38, preferably flat as shown, and adapted to be positionedbetween the arms 8'! of the cotter pin. If desired, guide fins 40 extending from the sides of the central section 39 and disposed to slightly overlie the arms 3'! may be provided to centralize the retainer member 32 relative thereto and to aid in maintaining the cotter pin 34 and retainer member 38 in proper association.

For spreading the cotter pin arms 31 the re tainer member 38 is provided at one'end with a wedge shaped section ll with the angularly disposed sides 42 thereof disposed so as to engage the cotter pin arms. As shown, this spreading sec tion may advantageously be' formed integral with the central section 39 as by twisting the spreading end of the retainer member 33. A flange 43 extending laterally from one of the angularly disposed sides 42 may be advantageously provided to aid inguidlng the arms 31 relative to the spreading section.

Of importance, a resilient locking section or finger N isalso provided on the spreading end of the retainer member 33. Preferably and as shown, this locking finger 44 is formed integral with the retainer member by bending a section thereof to extend in the direction of the cotter pin head when the pin 34 and retainer member 33 are in assembled relation.

The locking finger it is to be noted, isso formed that thelocking end 46 thereof is normal- 1y disposed outwardly an extent greater than that of the diameter of the cotter pin st or hole 33 in the stud. with this construction, while the locking finger H is initially pressed inwardly when the retainer member 33 is inserted in the hole 33 in a stud 3| or. the like, when the member is fully insorted with the spreading section extending from the stud, the locking finger 43 being freed from the hole 33 automatically springs outwa'rdly, see Fig. 1, to prevent an inadvertent withdrawal of the retainer member.

For arresting further inward longitudinal movement of the retainer member 33 beyond a predetermined position with the spreading section I and locking finger 44 clear of the stud 3h,

distance so that portions thereof are in line with the sides of the looped head 3! of the cotter pin. The fingers 46, therefore, are adapted to engage the head 35 free of the looped opening therein. Bhoulders 41 may, as shown, be M- vantageously formed on the exterior of the looped head it to engage with the laterally extending fingers 8 to thus serve most effectively to arrest the longitudinal movement of the cotter pin after the arms 31 thereof have been properly spread.

Preferably these laterally extending fingers are so formed that they frictionally engage the cotter pin arms 31 and thus serve to supplement the spreading section 4| in looking the cotter pin in position. Additionally, the fingers 43 through their frictional gripping of the cotter pin arms 37 provide an effective means for preventing a falling out or loss of the cotter pin should the latter work loose from the spread position, shown in Fig. 5. to the nonspread position, shown in-Fig. 3.

In the operation of the retainer, the retainer member 38 is first inserted between the arms 31 of the cotter pin, with the cotter pin spreading section 4| projecting beyond the cotter pin arms 37 as shown in Fig. l. The assembled retainer 32 is then inserted in a hole 33 in a stud 3i or other body to be held in place. The locking finger 44 being freed from the hole 33 then automatically snaps outwardly to lock the retainer member relative to the stud. .It is then merely necessary to strike the head 35 of the cotter pin with a suitable implement and the cotter pin 34 is moved longitudinally relative to the retainer member 33 which is held from movement by the laterally extending fingers 43. causes the arms 31 to engage the singularly disposed sides 43 of the section ll and be spread outwardly to thus efiectively lock the cotter pin in This relative movement position. To facilitate this spreading action.the

ends of the cotter pin arms 31 are preferably formed with inner bevelled faces 43 adapted to locate the wedge shaped section ll.

l td ll'idll ttt'iltt it is that seen that with the cotter pin retainor it provided by the present invention, not only is the cotter pin automatically spread by the re tainer member to be than loclred in place, but also that the retainer member tit itseli is locked to the stud by the loclring or til. Hence,

should'the cotter pin work loose entirely and drop from the stud ti the reer member tt alone, by the fingers til andilt is locked to the stud ti and serves lilre a cotter pin to hold the stud in place. However, the retainer member, of

' this form as well as other forms of the invention,

may be removed by closing the finger such as it with pliers or the like.

If desired a slightly modified retainer mornber til, as shown in Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13- and 14,

may be utilized to produce a cotter pin retainer ht that functions in the same manner as the cotter pin retainer ti first described.

The cotter pin it in this modified rener' is shown as of exactly-the same construction ne the The retainer member it,

member is made with a separate spring loclslnc finger ht suitably secured thereto, as by welding.

The rctainermember dd includes a central section ht having laterally extending guide fins ht disposed to slightly overlie the a hi to thus centralize the retainer member relative thereto. Likewise, the retainer member lid is provided at one end thereof with laterally projecting fin gers be, adapted, as the fingers tit, to friction ally grip the arms ill, to engage thelooped head to? of the cotter pin to and to engage the side of the stud. In addition there may be included a longitudinal extension on on the retainer them-- her to engage the cotter pin head to within the looped opening to therein. Such an extension, however, serves to congest the opening tt in the cotter pin head 3% and thus metres it dimcult to apply the usual cotter pin removing hoot: therein. Also, thereis formed at the other end of the retainer member ii a wcdging section bl having angularly disposed sides ht for engaging and spreading the cotter pin arms.

The. resilient locking finger this set in a suitable groove tt provided by a hoolr portion tit on the sprea end oi the retainer member, and normally projects outwardly an extent greater than the diameter of the hole ht and cotter pin bl. Like the loclring finger it in Fig. i, it is adapted to be pressed inwardly when passing through the cotter pin hole it in the stud it and to automatic spring outwardly to lock the retainer member relative to the stud when fully inserted therein.

The operation of the modified cotter pin retainer til is exactly the same as that of the one by hook portions to at either side of the spreading end of the retainer member. This retainer member ill thus providesa somewhat stronger loci: than the form first described. its operation is in all other particulars exactly the same as the other forms heretofore described, it being providedwith laterally projecting fingers at one end, guide fins tit and a wedge shaped spreading section t1. it is to be noted that spreading section t1 is narrower than the central section to and positioned centrally thereof so that the spring locking fingers lit may be pressed inwardly to pass through the cotter pin hole when the member is inserted in the stud.

In Fig. 16, the retainer member M is similar to the one shown in Fig. 15 in that it includes cen-- tral section it, laterally projecting fingers 11, a centrally disposed spreading section it and a pair of hook portions 13 defining grooves it to receive the ends of a pair of spring locking fingers it. It is to be noted, however, that notches in are formed in the lower end of the central section and racing the grooves i l to receive inwardly oflset tips 11 on the free ends of the spring locking fingers ill to thus limit the outward movement thereof.

In Fig. 6, there'is shown a retainer member it which like the retainer member disclosed in Fig. 1, is of a one-piece construction. In it, however,'the spreading section and locking finger means are not formed by longitudinally twisting the retainer member and by bending one end or the retainer member upon itself.- In it, the wedge shaped spread ng section it is formed as an enlarged untwistrid portion having angularly disposed opposite sid s to adapted to engage the arms 31 of the cotter pin. The locking means is provided by preferabl two fingers at which may be lanced. out of thelspreading section it so as to normally project outwardly a greater extent than the diameter of the cotter pin hole in the stud. Due to the natural resiliency of the metal, the lanced' locking fingers ti while pressed inwardly during their passage through the cotter pin hole at will move outwardly to lock the momber relative to the body when the fingers are free or the hole.

Like the other forms of retainer members, the retainer member in of Fig. 6 r. av be advantageously provided with guide fins ti to centralize the member relative to the cotter pin. nlso, latorally projecting fingers at are formed at one end oi the retainer member to grip the cotter pin areas, it, to engage the cotter pin head to and to be utilized, as shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, a modi fied cotterpin retainer dd having a modified retainer member tilt provided with looking fingers dd movable outwardly to a locking pos*ion by the arms oi the cotter pin t l wb l is of the same construction as the cotter p. illustrated in Fig. 1.

The retainer member db of this modified cotter pin retainer t l is most like the retainer member it shown in Fig. 6. It includes a preferably fiat central section t1 adapted to be inserted between the arms iii of the cutter pin, having laterally extending guide fins so formed thereon adapted to centralize the retainer member relative to the arms til or the cotter pin. Like the retainer member to, shown in Fig. (5, the retainer memher dill has provided at one end thereof laterally projecting fingers dd adapted to grip the cotter pin arms lit, to engage the cotter pin head t lt, and to engage the side 01 the stud ti.

Also, as in the form disclosed in Fig. 6, an en larged portion is termed at the other end thereof to provide a Wedge shaped spreading section til.

The locking fingers dd, however, instead of being lanced to normally extend outwardly from the retainer member are lanced so as to normally 4- amines extend close to"the .-r etainer member. In order i to insure the engagement of the cotter pin arms II with these lockingiingers to force the same .outwardly'to a locking position when the cotter 5 pin is moved longitudinally relative to the retainer member, raised .bevels II are formed on the tree ends 01 each of the locking fingers to extend laterally respectively thereto.

, Thus, after theretainermember II has been initially inserted in the hole-33 in the stud, when the cotter pin is longitudinally of the retainer member the cotter pin arms 31 engage the raised bevels ti and force the locking fingers 8i outwardly to alocking position. Concurrently 1315 the wedged section I. of the retainer member spreads the arms I] to-thus firmly lock thecotter pin'relative to the retainer member 88 and tothe stud Ii.

i In Figs. 11, 1s, 10 and flil-thereisdiscloeedanum bin however. in them-origi I I so. bevelled races 4! but also hoes 1 having a looped head defining anopening, and a on the ends 01 the cotter pin The etainer memberlimed with; cotter pin retainer)! showniin a 1.; and 20 like the retainer member lldieclolad retainer member there are provided laterally projecting-flngers ll adapted toifrictionally t ip the cutter pin arms II. to engage the cotter pin head ll and to engage the aide otthe studll.

To provide a means for spreading the cotter pin arms 81 the retainer member "adjacent the 45 other end thereof is bent or otherwise iormed'to provide a channel shaped spreading section I with the flanges Ill thereof of substantially wedge shape so that their free edges III are angularly disposed relative to the connecting portion with this construction, when the cotter pin is moved longitudinally of. the retainer member OI the arms 31 thereof engage respectively the connecting portion II! and the free edges ill oi the flanges Ill to .thus be spread outwardly. 55 The locking fingers '94 which are moved outwardly to a locking position by the cotter pin arms 31 are of substantially the same configuretion' as the cotter pin head engaging fingers SI and are termed on the central section 01 of the g retainer member and locatedao as to be just free oi the cotter pin hole 38 when the retainer member 93 is fully inserted in the stud as shown in The locking fingers 94, which extend laterally 45 jrom the retainer member and are disposed so as to be adapted to'overlie the respective cotter pin arms 31, are so formed that they normally donot project outwardly a suflicient extent to engage the side of the stud. However, alter the cotter pin 7o retainer 82, including both the cotter pin .5 and 'reta'iner member 0, has been initially inserted in the cotter pin hole so that the fingers 88 engage the side of the stud, when the cotter pin '5 is moved longitudinally of the retainer member It 75 the outer bevels II on the'ends oi the arms 31 engage bevelled portions ill on the inner i'aces oi the locking fingers and iorce the latter outwardly to the operative locking position shown in Figs. 18, i9 and 20. Continued movement of the cotter pin causes the arms 31 to engage and be 5 spread outwardly by the channel shaped spreadin! section II.

With this latter form as in all the forms here:- toiore considered in detail, it is seen that a cotter pin retainer is provided which is not only simple ,10 in construction and operation but which when completely inserted in the stud is most effectively and automatically locked in place.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope oi this invention and portions oi the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: l

1. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin 7 having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a 20 body; a retainer member; spreading means on said member; and means for locking said retainer member in the body.

4 2. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a head and a set of arms insertable 1 locking said retainer member in the body.

3. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin to net of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means on said I g, :1; retainer member for engaging said head tree Fig. 1, includes a preterably fiat'eentral l'l olawidth substantiallythelmewidtliasand adapted tobe positioned between 81- or thecotter pine Likewise at one oi the i 0! said opening therein; spreadinameans on said 35 retainer member; and means ior locking said retainer member in said body.

4. A cotter pin retainer comprising a'cotter pin having a set otarms insertable in a'hole in a body; a retainer member; means for guiding and 4 centering said member between said arms; spreading means on said member; and means for locking said retainer member in the body.

5. A'cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a at body; a retainer member; spreading means on said member; means for. locking said retainer member in the body; and means on said retainer member movable to lock the same relative to said body after insertion oi the member therein.

8. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a set oi arms insertable in a hole in a said retainer member movable to lock the said member relative to said body when the member is inserted therein.

7. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cutter pin having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer-member; means on said mem: her for spreading said arms when the latter are moved relative thereto; and means movable by said arms to lock said retainer member relative to said-body. 4 4

8. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means on said member for arresting movement '70 of the latter in a predetermined position when inserted in said body; means on said member for spreading said armswhen the latter are movedv relative thereto; and means-on said retainer member movable to lock the same relative to said body after the insertion of the member therein. 4

9. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms;

means on said member for arresting movement of the latter in a predetermined position when inserted in said body; means on said member for spreading said arms when the latte are moved relative thereto; and resilient means on,

said retainer member movable to lock said member relative to said body when inserted therein.

10. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means on said member for arresting movement of the latter in a predetermined position when inserted in said body; means on said member for spreading said arms when the latter are moved relative thereto; and means movable by said arms to lock said retainer. member relative to said body.

11. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a head and a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; a finger on said member for engaging said head and for arresting movement of said member in a predetermined position relative to said body when inserted therein; means on said retainer member for spreading said arms when m'oved relative thereto; and means on said retainer member movable to lock the same in said body after insertion of the member therein.

12. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; guide means on said member for locating and centering the'latter relative to said arms; means on said member for arresting movement of the latter when inserted in said hole in the body; and means on said member movable to lockthe same relative to said body after insertion of the member therein.

13. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a head with shoulders on the underside thereof, and having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means on said retainer member for spreading said arms when the latter are moved relative thereto; means on said retainer member for engaging said shoulders; and means for look.- ing said retainer member in the body.

14. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; laterally projecting means on said member for engaging said body to arrest movement of the member relative thereto; means on said member for spreading said arms when the latter are moved relative'to said member and said body; and means on said member movable laterally after being inserted in said body to lock said member relative thereto.

15. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a head, and having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means on said member,

for arresting longitudinal movement thereof relative to said body; means on said member for spreading said arms when the latter are moved longitudinally relative to said member and said body; a locking finger on said member; and means on said finger engageable by said arms to move said finger outwardly to lock said member relative to said body.

16. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a head, and having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means an said member for arresting longitudinal movement thereof relative to said body; means on said member for spreading said arms when the latter are moved longitudinally relative to said member and said body; and a pair of locking fingers on said member, movable outwardly by said arms to lock said member relative to said body. l

17. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a head, and having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said, arms; means on said member for arresting longitudinal movement thereof relative to said body; means on said member for spreading said arms; and'an integral finger on said member movable outwardly by said arms to lock said member relative to said body.

18. A cotter pin retainer. comprising a cotter pin having'a head, and having a set of armsim sertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means for centralizing said member relative to said arms; a linger on said member; engageable with said body to arrest movement of said member relative thereto; spreading means on said retainer member; a locking finger section on said retainer member; andtraised bevels on said locking finger engageable by said arms to move said finger outwardly to lock said member relative to said body.

19. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter pin having a set of arms insertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means for arresting longitudinal movement of said member relative to said body in one direction; a beveled end on said member for spreading said arms when the latter are moved longitudinally relative to said member and said body; and a spring finger on" said end of the member, movable outwardly to lock the member relative to said. body.

20. A cotter pin retainer comprising a cotter .pin having a head and having a set of arms. in-

sertable in a hole in a body; a retainer member between said arms; means on said member for frictionally gripping said cotter pin and for arresting longitudinal movement of said member in said body; means-on said member for spreading said arms; and means for'locking said member relative to said body. GEORGE T. 000m. 

